The awards which were held in conjunction with Age Action recognise the talents and achievements of those aged over 50 who have learned how to use technology to enhance their daily lives.

61-year-old David was the overall winner of the Google Silver Surfer award. The Greystones grandfather is a music aficionado.

A huge fan of the Beach Boys, David regularly streams music, listens to Spotify and is the owner of an extensive music collection on his computer.

Retirement from his job in banking meant that David could fully embrace the digital world and indulge his love of music. He learned how to shop online, bank online, book holidays online and uses Google Translate to talk to a family relative living in Peru. David's latest project is a digital photography course and he hopes to build an impressive photography collection.

Another highly commended nominee, Fintan Mulligan from Ashford, was nominated for the 'IT Tutor of the Year Award'. He was commended for his extensive efforts in helping older people from Wicklow town and county to get online.

With over 30 years' experience in the computer and phone technology sector, Fintan set up 'digital 121', with no financial backing, on a voluntary basis to address the needs of the elderly.

The scheme engages transition year students to teach the elderly to use digital phones under the guidance of a mentor.

Fintan is to planning to extend the scheme to the use of all digital devices in the near future and hopes that his scheme 'digital 121' will be implemented nationally.